We have two distinct sections in our club as far as competitions are concerned, the Open and Closed, both for monthly competitions, which are distinct from the annual trophies but which still have the same divisions.
The only one that is restricted as far as entry is concerned is the Closed and means that it is restricted to the less experienced member. Past winners and anyone with an ARPS or FRPS are excluded. The Open section is, as it infers, open to all members so it is possible for a beginner to win that competition, as has happened in the past.
Our club is affiliated to the SPA, The Surrey Photograpic Alliance, which in turn is part of the PAGB. These are really just 'organising' bodies that arrange inter-club and inter-region competitions both locally, regionally and nationally. A little like the F.A. is to football.
The SPA does hold a bi-annual exhibtion where entries are drawn from all the clubs that make up the association.
The SPA also holds 'training courses' for budding and wannabee judges, with the intention that they all sing off the same hymn sheet, but as far as I'm concerned they seem to all have different hymn sheets!
Judges are a whole different can of worms and something that could occupy acres of comment and discussion.
